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Honestly on the Inline reel fad?


DRH1175

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Are the Fly rod combo's here to stay or a fad? I am looking to buy one to add to my rod collection. However I was talking to a rod expert who thought it was really just a fad. They become quite clumsy in deeper water. Clam and Genz sells a combo. Yet when you talk to Dave Genz or watch his fishing clips he is always using a spinning rod. I could see where they may be nice in 10 ft of water or so. What's everyones honest thoughts?

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The schooley style reels have been around a while. I dont think its a fad. They have their place in a rod arsenal if you ask me. For finicky shallow panfish they fit that niche. would I use one to fish crappies 30 ft under the ice. Probably not. But 20 feet and less I think they will be here to stay.id be willing to bet genz is on TV with a genz spinning combo because they sell more than fly reels. Hes going to plug what his company sells a lot of to keep those sales.

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My go to in less than 15' is a Okuma SLV 2/3 fly reel, for deeper applications I just got a Black Betty 6061 with 2:7:1 retive... I can see myself going to more of these type reels and getting away from the typical spinning gear....I think they are here to stay but wont be for everyone...

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I enjoy using them in shallower water. I have had no issues in water up to around 15 feet or so. It might take a few more seconds to drop, but I would rather not have to deal with line twist. I don't really see it as a question of being a fad. Fly reels aren't going away, so if you like that style you will always be able to do it weather they are selling combos or not. Unless there are significant budget issues at play I would give it a try.

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Not that I'm aware of other than the online classifides, the 6061 was a limited run and only enough were made to fill whatever dealers wanted to order in August, all retailers I know that got them pre sold the majority of them the few left over sold out fast....

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I had a custom casting rod made and even then I couldn't tell the difference as I think the rod maker got confused about what I wanted. Used it as a gift to my father and he seems to love it. If you want a good rod for a bait caster, I would recommend a custom...be a lot easier than trying to find one. I think Clam Jason Mitchell rods come in both spinning and casting versions.

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Im 5 years into the "fad" and dont see it ending for me grin

I really enjoy ice fishing with fly reels. Use em up to about 30 ft of water at times. With multipling reels like the BB 6061 and thier ability to fish deeper easier, I wont be using my spinning reel rigs too much.

That being said, they are not for everybody or every situation...

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I have used Schooley reels for panfish for almost 30 years. went to spinning reels for a while in the mid 1990s, then switched back to the shooleys for the most part, so using all spinning reels was the "fad" for me, though I still use them for heavier presentations

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I have always been a spinning reel guy. I picked up a Black Betty at the St. Paul Show and finally got to fish it the other day. I must say that I really liked it. I think that for me the fad is here to stay. I have tried using small fly reels before but found them so uncomfortable to hold. Many of these new models have a large foot on the reel and can be held like spinning gear.

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I have the BB not the 6061 and used it once....have not used it in the following 6 trips out. Within 2 minutes I had it so messed up I I had to break off, set it aside, and grab a spinning reel....and I was in a shallow spot catching gills and crappies so no time to mess with it. I use left hand and the drag set is on the same side, set it to the proper drag but when reeling it would also adjust the drag to lose and then it wrapped around the drag knob. Going to have to give it another try when I am set up in a more permanent situation and play with it.....might have to switch the handle to the other side and see if that helps but then it will be only rod with right hand reel...oh well; I bought into the hype and need to decide whether it becomes part of my arsenal soon or an hsolist item for $15!!!

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I have used schooleys a while and mainly fish 25 ft and less. I ws thinking of a black betty this year but only see one at the stores with the 1 to 1 retrieve. Any good place to get the better retrieve esox?

I called their 800 number and talked to Matt, seems Scheel's is getting 6061's right now. They weren't on the list of guys taking pre-orders and didn't show up at the Ice Show in St. Paul...apparently they have a fair pile of them in a few locations.

And to the original OP, I've used the Spooler and original BB twice now this season, both of which I enjoyed. Took a bit more getting used to, and I'm not if it's the lack of line twist or just something new that I enjoy...but I do know that I'm a fan of this style.

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I jumped on the bandwagon and got an Okuma SLV 2/3 fly reel. I know a lot of guys love the fly reel for ice fishing but for me it was just a flash in the pan and I rarely use it. I didn't think the benefit outweighed the hassles. Just my opinion.

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More than a fad for me, I enjoy using the reels, I think the benefit of not having your jig spinning will make your line, especially your light line last longer. Also the added benefit of having a jig that doesn't spin in front of a negative mooded fish helps also.

Shallow water, and a light, micro presentation is the keys to these though. I don't want to be fishing deep basin fish with them, especially when they are active and aggressive. So far I like my Clam Ice Spooler for what I use it for, and I like my Black Betty also, but I'm leaning towards the Clam Ice Spooler due to the drag features. I've used the BB a few times it has a tendancy to tighten or loosen the drag as you are reeling up, I haven't seen that in the Clam Ice Spooler yet. Heck, I even caught a 7+ lb. northern on it the other night, on 2 lb test!

It's definitely an adjustment from using spinning reels, but they do have their time and place.

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Here to stay. I hate spinning reels for a variety of reasons, but still get a lot of use out of them, and I know I'm not alone.

Give the inline reels 5 years and you're going to see some very well-made tools that have most of the unforeseen kinks worked out.

You're going to see some improvements that take away some of the "for shallow water only" arguments as well I bet!

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